Sharks make three changes

Sharks Director of Rugby Jake White has made three changes to the team that beat the Rebels for this week’s Super Rugby match against the Brumbies in Canberra.

On the flank Keegan Daniel has replaced Maroetzee who has returned home to South Africa due to injury.

Cobus Reinach has been promoted into the starting line up for the first time since injuring himself against the Bulls in their fifth game of the tournament while S’bura Sithole has also been brought into the starting line up.

Charl McLeod rotates to the bench, having played almost every minute of the last five matches.

The team would have settled down nicely into the routine of touring which means the disruptions they suffered in the opening week are behind them.

“We had an extra day to prepare for this match (compared to last week) and more time to plan,” said White on the Sharks site.

“First playing second on the log is obviously a massive game, but it’s irrelevant that I was there, or now I’m with the Sharks; the point is that in the 2014 competition, it’s number one playing number two.”

“Like all teams, like us, they’re very difficult to beat at their home ground. Historically, it’s been a tough place to win, but the nice thing is that a lot of these players were here two years ago when they came to Canberra, so they’ve experienced the feeling of winning there already. We’re looking forward to seeing whether or not we can replicate what happened two years ago.”

The match puts the first and second placed teams against each other and a win this week could give the Sharks a nine point lead at the top of the standings.

“We just have to keep playing well and keep winning,” says White.

“We control our own destiny which is the great thing when you’re in a sporting arena. You never want to have to rely on other results to determine your fortunes. If we keep winning, we can control the way the tournament will end up.”